The road to the Final Four is already underway with the First Round action in the 2025 NCAA Tournament set to get underway this week. March Madness will get started in earnest on Thursday when the first round tips off across the country.

Here's who our team of writers covering the games in Cleveland this weekend think will survive the early rounds, get through next week's regional play and reach the Final Four, April 5 and 7, in San Antonio. And to reflect the somewhat open feel of this tournament, our four writers picks four different national champs.

McNeese, riding an 11-game win streak, is a dangerous opponent. If Clemson advances, a potential matchup against No. 4 seed Purdue looms. Elsewhere, top seeds Houston, Auburn, Duke, and Florida aim to avoid early-round upsets.